Still honeymooning after 64 years of marriage, George and Germaine Gaulin, formerly of Rhode Island and now of Georgetown, share the fun of stomping grapes Lucille-Ball-style at the 27th Annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival on Saturday, Aug. 20. George, who sang French folksongs to his bride, memorialized his romp through the stomp with vintage footprints on a commemorative tee shirt. The festival continued at the winery on Lake Buchanan in the Tow Community Saturday, Aug. 27. See more photos on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2bop4PK

By Glynis Crawford SmithThe Highlander

Forecasts for skies over Lake Buchanan were more promising for the 27th Annual Grape Stomp and Harvest Festival at Fall Creek Vineyard (FCV) this last weekend.
Rains that continued to replenish the lake on and off Saturday, Aug. 20, did not keep visitors away, as grape stomping and celebrity chef events began at the vineyard at 1820 County Road 222 near the Tow Community. But sunshine welcomed all the outdoor children's activities, outdoor games and the lake tour Saturday, Aug. 27.
“Our celebrity chef for the weekend was the renowned Scot Loranc of Austin's Quality Seafood,” said Susan Auler, hostess for the event since she and her co-owner husband, Ed, began it. “Chef Loranc led our guests on a culinary journey as fun as it is delicious, including the main course of Crab Louie chock full of the freshest, most delicious seafood from the Gulf Coast.”
Each course was paired with a choice FCV vintage.
Ed was the guide of scenic boat tours to view his family's heritage land and the Fall Creek Falls from Lake Buchanan. Helicopter tours of the land and lakescapes were offered by HELO Austin.
Grape stomping and family fun were free, as well as tours of the winery, shopping with vendors, visits to the tasting and patio lunches. A wine-tasting was led by FCV Winemaker Sergio Cuadra.
“Guests at the tasting sampled fermenting juices and just-made wines, and had fun examining the maze of decisions that need to be made throughout the harvest time,” said Susan. “It’s a tell-all behind the mystery of winemaking.”
For more information about upcoming events, visit www.fcv.com, or call 325-379-5361.